This week we're visiting a nation whose varied terrain is full of tropical Atlantic beaches, a labyrinthine system of rivers and Sub-Saharan desert that extends across its borders. The country's colonial history is reflected in its Portuguese-influenced cuisine and its landmarks including Fortaleza de São Miguel, built by the Portuguese in 1576 to defend the country's capital.
This country is more than three times the size of California.
|
The original inhabitants are thought to have been Khoisan speakers. After 1000, large numbers of Bantu speakers migrated to the region and became the dominant group. The country's name is derived from the Bantu kingdom of Ndongo, whose name for its king is ngola.
Explored by the Portuguese navigator Diego Cão in 1482, this country became a link in trade with India and Southeast Asia. Later it was a major source of slaves for Portugal's New World colony of Brazil. Development of the interior began after the Berlin Conference in 1885 fixed the colony's borders, and British and Portuguese investment fostered mining, railways, and agriculture.
One of Africa's major oil producers, is striving to tackle the physical, social and political legacy of a 27-year civil war that ravaged the country after independence.
Following the withdrawal of the Portuguese colonial masters in 1975, the rival former independence movements competed for power until 2002.
Much of this country's oil wealth lies in Cabinda province, where a decades-long separatist conflict simmers.
The government has sent thousands of troops to subdue the rebellion in the enclave, which has no border with the rest of it's country. Human rights groups have alleged abuses against civilians.
Geographic Location: 12 30 S, 18 30 E
|
Monetary unit: (Country) Kwanza
 |
| Video Clue #1 |
Labor force: 9.018 million; agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (2003 est.).
Industries: petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair.
Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium.
Exports: $70.84 billion (2013 est.): crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton.
Imports: $26.09 billion (2013 est.): machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods.
Major trading partners: U.S., China, India, South Africa, Portugal, Brazil (2012)
Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium.
Exports: $70.84 billion (2013 est.): crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton.
Imports: $26.09 billion (2013 est.): machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods.
Major trading partners: U.S., China, India, South Africa, Portugal, Brazil (2012)
 |
| Video Clue #2 |
 |
| Video Clue #3 |
 |
| Video Clue #5 |
 |
| Video Clue #4 |